Elevator construction



Dec. 1, 1931. J. E. w. FOGAL' 1,834,610

ELEVATOR CONSTRUCTION Filed April 9, 1928 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 4 n 72 1? Lay I I "E'- E U A TTOENEKS Dec. 1, 1931. J. E. w. FOGAL 1,834,610

' ELEVATOR CONSTRUCTION Filed April 9, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 39 a-* [g 3 i d E W Fawn.

ATTORA/KY? Patented Dec. 1, i931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOHN E. W. FOG-AL, OI QUINCY, ILLINOIS; ANNA E. FOGA'L, EXECUTRIX 0F SAID JOHN E. W. FOGAL, DECEASED, ASSIGNOB TO SAID ANNA E. FOGAL ELEVATOR CONSTRUCTION Application filed April 9, 1928. Serial No. 268,591.

My invention relates to improvements in elevator constructions, and it consists in the combinations, constructions, and arrangements herein described and claimed.

An object of my invention is to provide a device for positively raising and lowering an elevator door at a landing through mechanism controlled on and carried by the elevator, eliminating to a great extent complicated electrical circuits, and thus eliminating the danger of failure to operate, which often occurs where complicated electrical circuits are used.

A further object is to provide an elevator construction adapted to be employed for operating double door constructions in which the doors are counterbalanced and in which means is provided for opening the doors in such a manner that at the start the movement is slow, is then accelerated, and is subsequently retarded so that when the doors are moved into their closed positions, the doors will be moved at their slowest speed, thus preventing slamming.

A further object is to provide a device of the character described which incorporates means for preventing the operator from moving the elevator when the doors are open.

A further object is to provide an elevator construction which is relatively simple, eflicient in operation, and requires a minimum of power.

A further object is to provide a device of the character described in which the doors are positively opened and closed and in which means is provided for automatically locking and unlocking the doors as when closing and I opening the latter.

A further object is to provide an elevator construction in which the control of the doors is such that the operator has positive control .over' the doors at any given time so that he may move the doors in either direction should this be desired. I

A further object is to provide an elevator I construction, which, while primarily designed to be used for elevator doors of the double door construction, is so designed that the elevator may be quickly and easily adapted to a single door construction.

A further object is to provide an elevator construction in which relatively simple means is provided so that the elevator cannot be moved until the doors are closed and locked.

A further object is to provide an elevator construction in which frictional means is provided for eliminating breakage should the doors for any reason stop suddenly.

A further object is to provide an elevator construction in which means is provided for operatlng doors at each end of an elevator, and in which novel means is provided for causing the mechanism associated with either end of the elevator to be actuated.

A further object is to provide an elevator construction in which is provided a single control having a triple function; i. e., that of closing an actuating circuit, of moving a clutch member, and of applying a brake, thus eliminating the necessity of a number of separate operations for controlling the movement of the doors.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specification, and the novel features of the invention will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

My invention is illustrated in the accom- Figure 6 is an enlarged detail view of the door-locking mechanism,

Figure 7 is an enlarged detail view of a portion of the doors,

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 8--8 of Figure 7,

Figure 9 is a detail view showing the means for adjusting certain of the sprockets,

Figure 10 is a detail view of a reversing switch and the manner of mounting the same,

Figure 11 is a sectional detail view taken along the line 1111 of Figure 4,

Figure 12 is a diagrammatic view of the connections of the gate or door-operating motor,

Figure 13 is a diagrammatic view of the switch for controlling the motor which raises or lowers the elevator, and

Figure 14 is a detail view of a portion of my device.

In carrying out my invention, I make use of an elevator of any suitable type such as that shown in Figures 1 and 2. In these views, I have shown an elevator consisting of side frame members 1, 2, and 2, bottom frame members 3, and top frame members 4. The elevator is provided with the usual side panels, such as those shown at 5.

Referring to Figure 1, it will be noted that the frame members 2 are provided with sprockets 6 and 7. These sprockets are adjustably mounted upon the frame members 2 as shown in Figure 9. A filler block 8 is slidably disposed in each of the channel or frame members 2 and a suitable bolt 9 passes through the filler block for firmly supporting the sprockets 6 and 7. The bolt 9 passes through a slot 10 so that the sprockets 6 or 7 may be adjusted.

Sprocket wheels 11 are disposed on each side of the elevator as shown in Figures 1 and 2. These sprocket wheels are mounted upon a common rod or shaft 12 which extends across the top of the elevator and which is rotatably mounted in bearings 13 and 14 secured to the upper-frame members 4. An endless chain 15 is provided on each side of the elevator. These chains pass around the sprocket wheels 11 and the sprockets 6 and 7. Each chain is provided with an engaging link 16, such as is shown in Figure 1.

In Figure 1, I have shown the elevator positioned preparatory to opening elevator doors 17 and 18. The doors 17 and 18 are adapted to close an opening 19 leading from. the elevator shaft to the floor of the building. The doors 17 and 18 are slidably mounted with respect to the building wall 20. Means for slidably mounting the doors consists in the provision of a guide member 21 mounted upon each side of the doors 17 and 18 and is secured to the wall 20 by any suitable means, as shown in Figure 8. Forked means 22 is mounted upon each side of the doors for guiding the latter when moved with respect to the guide members 21. The doors 17 and 18 are of the counterbalanced type and move in opposite directions when being opened. A stop member 23 mav be provided for limiting the movement of the doors, as will be hereinafter described.

The doors 17 and 18 are provided with suitable cross members 24 and 25, see Figures 6 and 7. A hook member'26 is mounted upon each side of the door 17 and in ali nment with the chains 15. The hook mem ers 26 are positioned so that when the engaging links 16 are moved, the engaging links will be moved into engagement with the hook memthe cross member 24, see Figures 6, 7, and 1. v

A spring 30 is arranged for normally holding the lever 28 in the position shown in Figure 6. When the engaging links 16 are moved into engagement with the hook members 26, the pins 27 will move the lever 28 a slight distance so that the pins 27 will occupy a position within recesses 31 and 32 in the hook members 26 and the lever 28, respectively.

In Figure 6, I have shown the doors 17 and 18 in their closed position and locked together by means of the lever 28. A suitable lug 33 is mounted upon the cross member'25 and is provided with a tapered surface 34. One end of the lever 28 is provided with a tapered surface 35. When the doors 17 and 18 are in their closed position, as shown in F igures'6, 7, and 1, movement of the engaging links 16 for bringing the pins 27 into en-' gagement with the lever 28 will cause the hook portion 36 to be moved away from the lug 33, whereupon the doors may be moved apart. The recess 31 is tapered so that during the movement of the engaging links 16 after they are in engagement with the hook members 26, the pins 27 will be disposed in the end 31 of the recess 31, but during the closing of the'doors the pins 27 will be disposed in the position shown in Figure 6.

When the doors are moved together, the portion 36 of the lever 28 will engage the lug 33 so that the upper end of the lever 28 will be moved away from the pins 27, thereby freeing the latter from engagement with the hooks 26. It will be observed from Figure 6 that the position of the pin 27 is so that during a downward movement of the pin, the

thrust is substantially parallel with the longi- I tudinal axis of that portion of the lever engaging the pin. The tension of the spring 30 is suflicient to hold the lever 28 against the pin 27 for positively locking the pin. with respect to the hook member 26 and the lever 28 until the lever is moved by reason of the lug 33.

In Figure 7, I have shown the manner in which the doors 17 and 18 are operatively connected together. A chain 37 is connected at 38 with the door 17 and passes upwardly around a suitable wheel 39 which is supported by the guide member 21 as shown in Figure 8. The chain 37 is connected with a suitable rod 40 which passes downwardly and is connected with an extended portion 41 of the cross member 25. The doors 17 and 18 may be constructed and counterbalanced in such a manner that they are practically balanced, whereby a relatively small amount of power is necessary for operating the doors.

A motor 42 is mounted upon a base 43 carried by cross beams 44, see Figure 2. In Figure 3, I have shown an enlarged view of the motor 42 and the power-transmitting mechanism associated with the motor. The motor 42 is provided with a shaft 45, see Figure 3, upon which a flange member 46 is disposed. The fiange member 46 is provided with a hub portion 47 which bears against one end of the motor and serves as a thrust element. A clutch collar 48 is slidably mounted upon the shaft 45. As will be seen from Figure 3, the collar 48 is provided with two friction surfaces. A friction member 49 is rigidly secured upon a shaft 50 upon which a worm 51 is mounted. A suitable ball hearing means 52 is provided for supporting the outer end of the shaft 45. The flange member 46 rotates with the motor shaft and the shaft is independent of the shaft 45 when the collar 48 is in the position shown in Figure 3. When, however, the collar 48 is moved into engagement with the friction member 49, the shaft 50 is operatively connected with the shaft 45, which, in turn, will rotate the worm 51.

The collar 48 may be actuated by the movement of a clutch lever 53. Referring t6 Figures 2 and 1, it will be noted that a rod 54 connects the lever 53 with a bell crank lever 55 mounted upon one of the frame members 4. The bell crank lever 55 is operativel connected with a drum type reverse switc 56 as shown in Figure 10 by means of a pull rod 57. The switch 56 is of course of standard construction and no invention is claimed for this. In Figure 10, I have shown a manner in which the switch may be mounted to one of the panels 5. A crank 58 is provided for actuating the switch 56. The shaft on which the crank 58 is mounted passes through the switch and is operatively connected with an arm 59, which, in turn, is connected with the pull rod 57. Movement of the crank 58 will result in a relative movement of the arm 59, which, in turn, actuates the bell crank lever 55 and the clutch lever 53.

When the crank 58 is swung over to either side, the pull rod 57 will be actuated. In

Figure 1, I have shown the switch 56 as having sections at, d, and u. The sections n, d, and 'u are represented diagrammatically and perform functions which will be more fully explained hereinafter.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 1, it will be noted that the worm 51 is in engagement with a worm wheel 60, the latter being mounted upon a shaft 61. A suitable housing 62 is provided for enclosing the worm 51 and the worm gear 60 and also to provide bearing and supporting means for the shafts 50 and 61. housing 62 for the sake of clearness. A gear 63 is mounted upon the shaft 61. This gear is eccentrically, mounted with respect to the shaft 61 as shown in Figure 4. A companion gear 64 is eccentrically mounted upon the shaft 12. The gear 64 is provided with sleeve encased pins 65 which are engaged by the teeth of the gear 63. The distance between the shaft 61 and 12 is constant.

As the gear 63 and the gear 64 rotate, the shaft 12 will rotate at varying speeds; that is to say, during a portion of the revolution, the shaft will rotate slowly, while at another portion, it will rotate at a much greater speed.

The gear 64 is provided with a sleeve 66 which is rotatably mounted upon the shaft 12. The gear 64 is provided with a clutch portion 67 which rotates with the gear. A clutch member 68 is slidably mounted upon the shaft 12 but is keyed at 69 so as to rotate with the shaft. A link 70 is connected with the clutch member 68 and a crank 71, see Figures 2 and 1. One end of the crank 71 is supported by a suitable bracket 72 mounted upon the bearing 14. One end of the crank 71 is connected at 73 with the link 70. When the handle portion 74 is moved for rotating the crank 71, the link 70 is moved longitudinally upon the shaft 12. Thus it will be seen that the clutch member 68 may be thrown into and out of engagement with the clutch portion 67. When the clutch member 68 is thrown into engagement with the clutch portion 67, rotation of the gear 64 will be transmitted to the shaft 12. When, however, the clutch member 68 is moved out of engagement with the clutch member 67 continued rotation of the wheel 64 is independent of the shaft'12.

A gear 75 is mounted upon one end of the In Figure 1, I have removed the sleeve 66 as shown in Figure 3 and rotates with the sleeve. In referring to Figure 2, it'will be noted that I have provided a shaft 12' which passes across the top of the elevator and is rotatably mounted within a sleeve 66'. The sleeve 66' may be operatively connected with the sleeve 66 through the medium of gears 76, 77, and 78. The gear 78 is rigidly mounted u on the sleeve 66', and since the gear 76 is 1n operative engagement with the gear 75, rotation of the sleeve 66 results in a relative rotation of the sleeve 66'.

It will also be seen that the variable speed feature of the sleeve 66 is transmitted to the sleeve 66 so that the variable speed mechanism comprising the gear 63 and the gear 64 may be employed for actuating the shafts 12 and 12.

The construction I have described thus far is used on elevator constructions emplo ing doors at one end, but by the provision 0 the shaft 12, it is easily seen that I can provide chains 15 and their associate equipment for the other end of the elevator so that each end may be provided with doors. In Figure 1, I have shown a crank 79 substantially similar to the crank. 71 for actuating a link 80, see Figure 3, which is operatively connected with a clutch member 81. The clutch member 81 may be moved into engagement with a clutch portion 82 disposed upon one end of the sleeve 66'. A suitable bracket 83 is provided for supporting the gears 76 and 7 7 and for partl supporting-the sleeves 66 and 66 Suitable bearings 84 and 85 are provided for ompleting the supporting means for the sleeves 66 and 66'.

The clutch lever 53 is normally held in the position shown in Figure 3 by means of a spring 86. When the collar 48 is disposed against the flange member 46, the collar serves as a braking means for the motor.

From the foregoing description of the various parts of the device, the operation thereof may be readily understood. In Figure 13, I have shown diagrammatically a switch S which controls the motor M that moves the elevator up and down. This switch is closed by the engagement of a lug 87 carried by the chain 15. When the lug is in the position V shown in Figure 1 the circuit of the motor which raises and lowers the elevator is closed. \Vhen. however, the lug 87 is moved away from the switch S, the circuit is open and the elevator cannot be raised or lowered. The purpose of this arrangement will be described later.

Let us assume now that the elevator has stopped at a. landing as indicated in Figure 1. Normally the crank 58 is in the central neutral position shown in Figure 1. If the crank 58 is turned to the right for moving the contacting elements upon the shaft upon whi-"h the crank 58 is mounted into engagement with the section it, the motor 42 will be actuated. Movement ofthe crank 58 will draw down on the pull rod 57 and through its connections will shift the clutch lever 53,

- see Figure 3, for bringing the collar 48 into engagement with the friction member 49. This engagement will cause the motor shaft 45 to become operatively connected with the shaft 50.

' Rotation of the shaft 50 will drive the shaft61 through the medium of the worm 51 and the .wprm gear 60. It will thus be seen that when the motor is in operation, the gear 63 and the wheel 64 will be actuated. Let us assume now that the clutch member 68 is in the position shown in Figure 3; that is to say, locked with respect to the clutch portion 67. It will be seen that the shaft 12 will be driven and that the chains 15 will be moved. During the movement of the chains 15, the engaging links 16 will be moved from the position shown in Figure 1 into engagement with the hook members 26. Continued movement of the chains after the engaging links 16 are connected with the hook members 26 will result in an upward movement of the. door 17 and a downward movement of the door 18.

The chains 15 are actuated simultaneously. Thus it will be seen that the engaging links 16 upon the chains 15 engage the hook members 26 at the same time.

When the crank 58 is swung over to the section d, the current through the motor 42 is reversed by any suitable reversing mechanism, such as that shown diagrammatically at 1- in Figure 12. The clutch mechanism, however, is operated in precisely the same manner since by swinging the crank in either direction away from neutral, the pull rod 57 is pulled downwardly. When the motor 42 reverses its movement, the chains 15 will also reverse their movement and the engaging links 16 will be brought back to their normal positions. lVhen the engaging links 16 are in their normal positions, the circuit of the .motor M shown diagrammatically in Figure 13 which controls the raising and lowering of the elevator is closed and the elevator may be started up or down.

In referring to Figure 6, it will be noted that the opening and closing of the doors is by positive action. The apparatus is so regulated that the operator by switching the crank 58 to neutral can stop the gates at any desired point. If he fails to switch the crank, the gates will continue to'open until the gate 17 strikes the stop 23, and, if this should occur, the collar 48 will slip with respect to the friction member 52 so as to prevent a breakage of the operating mechanism.

An important feature of my invention is that the first movement of the gates is a relatively slow one, the speed is increased to a maximum, and then at the end of the movement it is retarded so that any slamming of the gates is avoided. This is accomplished through the medium of the gear 63 and the gear 64 which cause the shaft 12 to revolve slowly during a portion of its revolution, then to be accelerated, and again retarded. The movement of the gates is such that when they are closed, there is practically no slamming and "relatively little strain upon the apparatus connected with the gates or doors.

It will be observed that I have provided a. construction which is relatively simple and a construction such thatshould it be desired to operate gates at each end of the elevator,

this may be done with very little additionalequipment. In fact, the equipment shown, for instance, in Figures 2 and 3 could easily be switched so that the opposite end of the elevator could be used as an entrance into the elevator. The sprockets 6 and 7 could b mounted upon the channel 1 and sprockets 11 could be provided upon the shaft 12'. Further than this, 1' have provided a device which is 'relativelysimple in a matter of selecting which set of doors is to be actuated as when the elevator is equipped with double doors.

When the clutch member 68, referring now to Figures 3 and 2, is moved out of engagement with the clutch portion 67, continued rotation of the wheel 64 and the sleeve 66 is independent of the shaft 12. By actuating the crank 79, the clutch member 81 may be thrown into engagement with the clutch portion 82, whereupon the shaft 12 is caused to rotate. When the crank 58 is disposed in neutral as shown in Figure 1, the clutch lever 53 by reason of the spring 86 holds the clutch collar 48in engagement with the flange memher 46 so that the motor shaft 45 is operatively disconnected from the shaft 50 and the collar 48 tends to brake the movement of the motor 42. A

It will be observed that the raising and lowering of the gate does not involve the use of a complicated electrical circuit having a number of switches, but is accomplished by relatively simple apparatus which is under control of the operator at all times and which may therefore operate to raise the gate or door to the height desired.

While I have shown an elevator construction employed in connection with a double door construction, it will be seen that the construction is such that the sprockets 7 may be easily moved near the bottom of the elevator so that I could employ my invention in connection with a single door.

In Figure 5, I have shown a modified form of equipment that may be associated with the motor 42. In this form, I provide friction members 90 and 91. The member 91 is mounted upon the shaft 50 and the member 90 is mounted upon the motor shaft 45. A threaded sleeve portion 92. is rigidly secured to the motor shaft for receiving an adjusting hand wheel 93. A spring 94 is disposed between the hand wheel 93 and the friction member 90 so that the latter is yieldingly held in frictional engagement with the friction member 91. The friction between the members 90 and 91 is sufiicient to cause the motor shaft 45 to be normally operatively connected with the shaft 50. Should the doors, however, become suddenly blocked or stopped. he tension of the spring 94 is so adjusted that the motor 42 may continue to operate by reason of the slippage between the members 90 and 91. The member 90 is of course sl idably mounted upon the motor shaft 45 but is keyed to rotate with the latter.

I claim:

1. The combination of an elevator car, a movable door disposed at the elevator land- 2. The combination of an elevator car, a

movable elevator door disposed 'at the elevator landing, a protruding member carried by said elevator door, manually controlled means carried by said elevator car for engaging with said protruding member and for movmg said door to an open position, at will, a

motor for raising or lowering the elevator,

and means carried by said manually controlled means for opening the circut to said motor when the door is being moved.

3. The combination of an elevator car, movable doors disposed at the elevator landmg, means operatively connecting the doors for permitting the same to be simultaneously moved, a motor for raising and lowering the car, manually controlled means carried by the elevator car including a traveling chain for raising and lowering the elevator doors, and means carried by the chain for opening and closing the circuit of said motor.

4. The combination of an elevator car, movable elevator doors disposed at the elevator landing, means operatively connectin the doors for permitting the same to be moved in opposite directions, protruding means carried by one of said doors, manually controlled means carried by said elevator car for engaging with said protruding means and for moving said doors to an open position, at will, a motor for raising or lowering the elevator, and means carried by said manually controlled means foropening the circuit to said motor when the doors are being closed.

5. The combination of an elevator car, movable doors disposed at the elevator landing, means operatively connecting the doors for permitting said doors to be moved in opposite directions, and means carried by the elevator car for opening the doors with a i slow initial movement, accelerating to a maxing a hook and a movable member cooperating with said hook, manually controlled means including a driven endless chain for engaging with said hook for moving said doors to an open position, said movable member being adapted to permit said endless chain to move the doors in a reverse direction when the movement of said chain is reversed,

and means for disconnecting said endless operatively connecting the doors for permitting the same to be moved in different directions, protruding means carried by one of said doors, said protruding means comprising a hook and a movable member cooperating with said hook, manually controlled means including a driven endless chain for engaging with said hook for moving said doors to an open position, said movable member being adapted to permit said endless chain to move the doors in a reverse direction when the movement of said chain is reversed, and means for disconnecting said endless chain from said protruding means when the doors are returned to a closed position, said movable member having means for engaging said last-named means for locking said doors in a closed position.

8. The combination of an elevator car. movable doors disposed at the elevator landing, means operatively connecting said doors for permitting the same to be moved in dlfferent directions, a shaft mounted upon the elevator, sprockets mounted upon said shaft, endless chains mounted upon said sprockets. variable speed means for rotating said shaft, and means carried by the chains for engaging protruding means carried by one of said doors, whereby the doors will be operatively connected with said chains.

9. The combination of an elevator car, a shaft mounted upon the elevator, sprockets carried by the shaft, door-moving means aotuated by said sprockets, a motor mounted upon the elevator, variable speed means mounted for operation independently of said shaft, and means mounted upon said shaft and adapted to engage said variable speed mechanism for operatively connecting the shaft with said variable speed mechanism.

10. The combination with an elevator car, of movable doors disposed at the elevator landing, a plurality of protruding means carried by one of said doors, and manually controlled means including a plurality of driven endless chains carried by said elevator car for engaging with said plurality of protruding means for moving said doors in opposite directions to an open position.

11. The combination of an elevator car, movable doors disposed atthe elevator landing, means operatively connecting the doors for permitting the same to be simultaneously moved in opposite directions, a motor for raising and lowering the car, manually controlled means carried by the elevator car including a plurality of driven endless chains for raising and lowerig the elevator doors, and means carried by one of the chains for opening and closing the circuit of said motor.

12. The combination of an elevator car, movable doors disposed at the elevator landing, chains for raising and lowering the doors, engaging means carried by said chains, protruding means carried by one of the doors for engaging said engaged means, each of said protruding means comprising a pivotally mounted lever having a locking member, projections carried by the other door for engaging said locking members when said doors are in their closed position, a hook member associated with each of said levers and cooperating with the same, and spring means for holding the locking members in engagement with said projections when the doors are in their closed position, said engaging means being adapted to contact-with said lever for moving the locking members out of engagement with said projections when the doors are being opened, said engaging means being locked between the hooks and the levers for returning the doors to a closed position, said projections being arranged to engage the levers for moving the latter and releasing the engaging means, said spring means being adapted to move the levers for bringing the locking members into locked engagement with said projections for holding the doors in closed position.

13. In an elevator construction, movable elevator .doors, a chain for raising and lowering the doors, said chain being provided with an engaging member, a hook secured to one of the doors, a movable lever associated with said hook and being provided with a locking member, a projection carried by the other of said doors, said locking member being arranged to engage said projection when the doors are in their closed position for locking the same, said engaging member being adapted to engage a portion of said lever for moving the locking member out of engagement with said projection, and means for holding said lever in operative relation with said hook for retaining said engaging member during the opening and the closing of said doors, said projection being arranged to engage the locking member and moving the lever for releasing the engaging member when the doors are moved into their closed position.

14. In a device of the type described, a pair of gears eccentrically mounted, one of said gears being provided with a pair of flanges, pins supported by the flanges, and casings disposed upon said pins, said casings being arranged to engage the teeth of the other gear and the teeth of the latter being arranged to be disposed between said flanges.

15. An elevator door operating mechanism, comprising a flexible endless band mounted on an elevator car and provided with a door operating member that is adapted to move into engagement with a part on a shaft door and then move said door ino its open position when said band is traveling in one direction, and an electric motor on the car for actuating saidband.

16. An elevator door operating mechanism,

. comprising an endless sprocket chain mounted on an elevator car, sprocket wheels over which said chain travels, an electric motor for actuating one of said wheels, and a door operating member on said chain arranged so as to engage a cooperating part on a shaft door and move said shaft door into its open position when said chain travels in one direction and to permit said door to return to its closed position and cause said door operating member to be disengaged from its cooperating part on the door when said chain travels in the opposite direction.

17. The combination with an elevator car 0 erating in a shaft provided with a mova le door, of a power driven flexible member carried by the door and movable in opposite directions, said member having a stretch operating parallel to said door, and a door moving element carried by said member normally positioned beyond said stretch to permit the car to be moved independently of said door, said element connecting with a cooperating device carried by the door for moving the same when the member has been moved to make said element a part of said stretch.

18. The combination with an elevator car, and a shaft therefor having a plurality of doors, each door having a member engageable to operate the door, of a power driven flexible band carried by said car, said band havinga stretch spaced from and operating parallel to the elevator shaft doors, a door moving element carried by said band and normally positioned beyond said stretch to permit the car to move independently of said doors, said element having a reach beyond said stretch for connection with a preselected door when the band has been shifted to make,

the element a part of said stretch, whereby said preselected door may be moved to opened and closed positions.

19. The combination with an elevator car, and a shaft therefor having a plurality of doors, each door having a member engageable to operate the door, of a power driven flexible band carried by said car, said band having stretch lying along the path of said door operating member and a portion adjacent one end of said stretch diverging from the path of said operating member, and an element on said band movable along said stretch and said diverging portion into and out of the path of said member.

Signed at Chicago in the county of Cook, and State of Illinois, this 6th day of April,

JOHN E. W. FOGAL. 

